5 Ways to Ring in the New Year on Chicago's North Shore

The new year is now just a mere days away, so why not start planning how you'll ring in 2017 on Chicago's North Shore? There are dozens of ways to celebrate the new year in Winnetka, Glencoe, Deerfield, Highland Park, Northbrook and the surrounding areas and as your local real estate expert, I'm happy to share a few of them with you below!

It's a Wonderful Life: Live Radio Play
December 30, 2016
Oil Lamp Theater, Glenview IL

This classic North Shore event is back again this year! Attend the show for complimentary cookies and hot chocolate and witness a cast of six actors reenact the popular It's a Wonderful Life story with the help of only a sound effects artist— as though it is Christmas Eve 1946 at WBFR Radio.

New Year's Eve at Pinstripes
December 31, 2016
Pinstripes, Northbrook IL

Head out to Pinstripes to watch two balloon drops, the first beginning at 8 PM (ideal for the kids!) and the second at midnight. There will be complimentary champagne, party favors and live music for all to enjoy. You can also try your hand at the pins as both the bowling lanes and bocce courts will be open!

New Year's Eve Bash
December 31, 2016
Kohl Children's Museum, Glenview IL

One entire wing of the museum will be transformed into a giant Times Square style party with a huge confetti drop to ring in the new year! The event lineup also includes a children's concert with Wendy Morgan & DB, DJ and dance party, hat making and horns, free hair styling, family photos and more! Kids under 12 months are free.

New Year's Day Skate
January 1, 2017
Winnetka Ice Arena, Winnetka IL

The holiday season may be coming to an end, but the winter fun is still alive and well in Winnetka! Celebrate the new year with an open skate around the ice arena. Admission is $2 and skate rentals are $3.50.

Wonderland Express
Through January 2, 2017
Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe IL

Kick off the new year on the North Shore with this light show, greenhouse extravaganza, railroad garden and more! Here you can find the city of Chicago in miniature form, explore while it magically snows indoors and take in every holiday exhibition before it ends on January 2! This display has been called one of the Chicago area's top holiday "must-see's," so you won't want to miss it!

The new year is also an excellent time to consider moving to a new home in Winnetka, Glencoe, Deerfield, Highland Park, Northbrook and beyond! Give me a call today for more information about available properties and next steps in the buying process.

Have a safe and happy new year!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert

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Why You Shouldn't Wait Until Spring to Sell Your Winnetka, Deerfield, Glencoe IL Home

The question on many North Shore homeowner minds right now is whether or not to sell this winter or wait for better weather in the spring. It may be tempting to want to wait until the warmer months to list, after all more buyers will be out and about in the spring, right? That is not always the case!

There are many perks to selling your Winnetka, Glencoe, Deerfield, Northbrook, Highland Park area home this winter, without waiting until spring, and I've listed a few of them below.

There will be more competition in spring
Listing your home now allows you to avoid the wave of homeowners that will sell in the coming months. Not only will you be able to take advantage of rising home prices, but you can put your home on the center stage with fewer properties to overwhelm a buyer's decision.

Interest rates are rising
The Fed did just issue an interest rate hike this past week and by waiting to sell and move on, you never know what rates will look like. Selling your home now and moving on to a new property will allow you to lock in a lower rate than you might see in the spring.

Buyers are serious now
Think about it— many buyers in today's real estate market may be highly motivated to close due to a new job position. And as many jobs begin after the first of the year, buyers will be ready to purchase a new home now!

Buyers look constantly
With technology like smartphones, tablets, computers and the like, buyers no longer shop for homes by just driving by, reading the newspaper, or noticing a For Sale sign pop up in the neighborhood. Buyers are constantly browsing available homes online, therefore selling in the winter offers just as many opportunities!

If you're questioning whether now is the best time to sell your North Shore home, do not hesitate to give me a call! I am happy to provide more information on the current real estate market, available properties and what you can do to make your property more appealing to buyers.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert

North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
Visit My Website

Local Expert... with National Connections!

Locally or across the country, think of me as your national connection. I can help you with all your real estate needs anywhere in the United States. 

Winnetka Real Estate Market Stats for November 2016

City Active Listings: There are a total of 161 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,856,940 in Winnetka.

City Sold Listings: 18 properties closed last month in Winnetka with an average sales price of $1,004,917 The average time on market for these properties was 34 days. 

To view the complete report including additional detailed data, charts ad graphs, please view the Winnetka market statistics! 

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert

North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
Visit My Website

Local Expert... with National Connections!

Northbrook Real Estate Market Stats for November 2016

City Active Listings: There are a total of 275 properties actively on the market with the average price of $749,554 in Northbrook.

City Sold Listings: 57 properties closed last month in Northbrook with an average sales price of $471,313 The average time on market for these properties was 53 days. 

To view the complete report including additional detailed data, charts ad graphs, please view the Northbrook market statistics! 

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert

North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
Visit My Website

Local Expert... with National Connections!

Highland Park Real Estate Market Stats for November 2016

City Active Listings: There are a total of 314 properties actively on the market with the average price of $917,599 in Highland Park.

City Sold Listings: 25 properties closed last month in Highland Park with an average sales price of $668,759. The average time on market for these properties was 80 days. 

To view the complete report including additional detailed data, charts ad graphs, please view the Highland Park market statistics! 

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert

North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
Visit My Website

Local Expert... with National Connections!

Glencoe Real Estate Market Stats for November 2016

City Active Listings: There are a total of 78 properties actively on the market with the average price of $1,671,708 in Glencoe.

City Sold Listings: 9 properties closed last month in Glencoe with an average sales price of $820,000. The average time on market for these properties was 146 days. 

To view the complete report including additional detailed data, charts ad graphs, please view the Glencoe market statistics! 

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert

North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
Visit My Website

Local Expert... with National Connections!

Deerfield Real Estate Market Stats for November 2016

City Active Listings: There are a total of 136 properties actively on the market with the average price of $715,333 in Deerfield.

City Sold Listings: 18 properties closed last month in Deerfield with an average sales price of $468,661. The average time on market for these properties was 54 days. 

To view the complete report including additional detailed data, charts ad graphs, please view the Deerfield market statistics! 

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert

North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
Visit My Website

Local Expert... with National Connections!

How to Stage Your Winnetka, Glencoe, Deerfield IL Home for the Holidays

Did you know that homes tend to show better during the holiday season? It's true! The cozy feelings you feel over these chilly winter months can actually help you sell your home as North Shore buyers feel them too!

But how can you be sure you make an impact and take full advantage of everything the holiday season has to offer home sellers? As your North Shore real estate expert, I've included a few ways to successfully stage your home for the holidays below:

Stick to a color scheme
The holidays may tempt you to overdo it on the decor, with flashing colored lights outside, white lights on the tree and a variety of different ornaments, but don't get carried away. Sticking to a color scheme like metallics or reds or greens inside your North Shore home can feel festive without coming across as showy or busy.

Skip the outlandish outdoor decor
Does your neighbor have a giant, inflatable Santa towering over your yard? Or perhaps a swirling snow globe featuring Frosty himself stares at you from across the street? No matter, if you're selling your home in Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook or the surrounding areas, you will want to skip these large displays as they can turn off buyers.

Set the table
The holidays are a time for hosting, entertaining and gathering— many times over the table! Set your table with a simple holiday centerpiece like a garland table runner and adorn it with candles. Buyers who visit during this time will be able to envision themselves hosting future holidays and could just fall in love!

Make the mantel merry
A fireplace is an excellent focal point for your North Shore home and what's more, a selling point for local buyers! If you have one, consider an elegant garland draped across the mantel or again, stockings hung in a monochromatic color scheme. This is a great place to add holiday magic, but resist the urge to make it too complicated.

If you have more questions about selling your home in Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook or the surrounding Chicagoland areas this time of year, I am here to help! Give me a call today!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert

North Shore Real Estate
View North Shore Listings
Visit My Website

Local Expert... with National Connections!

Locally or across the country, think of me as your national connection. I can help you with all your real estate needs anywhere in the United States.